Stanley defender Toto Nsiala says one of his main aims this season is to cut out the cards.

The 20-year-old, who has signed a permanent one-year deal with the Reds after being on loan from Everton last season, knows he has got to improve his discipline.

In his 19 Stanley games last season, he picked up 11 yellow cards and one red.

"The gaffer has had a word with me and told me to try not to get too many yellow cards and no red cards this season," said 6ft 4in defender Nsiala.

"I did go to anger management classes last year and I have got to work to control that and stay away from trouble.

"I have learnt a lot since I have been here and I have got to try and channel any aggression in the right way."

It has been an eventful time for Nsiala as he earned his first cap for the Democratic Republic of Congo in the summer.

He came on, in a defensive midfield role, against the Seychelles and admitted: "I loved it. I was made up to get a cap and my family were proud. It was a big thing for me and it helped me develop as a player being away with Congo."

DR Congo are hoping to qualify for the African Cup of Nations in South Africa next year and they have two clashes with Equatorial Guinea in September and October in a bid to reach the final.

"They are big games for us and I am talking with the gaffer (Paul Cook) about going away for those games," said Nsiala.

"We are also going for the World Cup in Brazil but there is still a long way to go in that."

However Nsiala’s full focus at the moment is in on Stanley’s League Two campaign and cementing his place in the starting XI and making an impression – without the cards.

"It was a great decision to sign here permanently," said Nsiala, who was born in Congo but brought up in Liverpool.

"I think we will do well, there are some good players here and a good team spirit.

"There is competition for places in defence but I don’t mind competition.

"My job is to try and get a place in the starting line-up and keep hold of it.

"And hopefully I can chip in with a few goals as I haven’t scored a league goal – my only one is for Macclesfield against Southend in the FA¿Cup but it was special!"

n Nsiala will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of Rommy Boco, who featured for Benin in the African Cup of Nations when he was at Stanley.